Wednesday, 10/05/2017 16:43 (GMT+7)
The Republic of Korea (RoK) liberal politician Moon Jae-in has won the country’s presidential election.
Moon Jae-in wins RoK’s presidential election (Photo: Yonhap)
With 80% of the votes counted, Mr Moon was ahead with 40% of the total, the National Election Commission said.
“This is a great victory,” Mr. Moon said, “for the great people who have been with me to build a just country, united country and a country where principle and common sense works.”
"I will build a new nation. I will make a great Korea, A proud Korea. And I will be the proud president of such a proud nation," the human rights lawyer told supporters in Seoul, the Yonhap News Agency reported.
Moon Jae-in, born on January 24th, 1953 is former human rights attorney. He served as a senior secretary to then-President Roh Moo-Hyun from 2005 to 2006, then as his chief of staff from 2007 to 2008. He was elected to be the 12th president in the 2017 election by a large plurality against two other major candidates.
Moon is replacing former President Park Geun-hye in a by-election after she was impeached in March. Her five-year term was to end in February 2018, but after a series of political scandals, she is in jail awaiting trial on charges of corruption./.
Compiled by BTA